Kilts? Suggestions on where to buy in Edinburgh?

Sorry no specific advice except there are several shops, shop around and bring your checkbook. There are typically two weights of cloth - you’ll save some $ buying the lighter weight if you’re not planning on winter hunting in it ;) but rather casually enjoying it.

My husband was looking at possibly getting a kilt from Gordon Nicholson Kiltmakers, but the Scotland trip got sidelined by the Pandemic, and it hasn’t gotten rescheduled at this point. A bespoke kilt appears to be a time-consuming endeavor, and they’d mail the finished product to you long afterwards.

We were looking at doing the John Muir Way across part of Scotland, and the kiltmaker designed a special pattern to commemorate the opening of that route a few years ago. Besides that custom tartan, they say there are over 12,000 others, and the Cloth Directory on their Website could help you begin your search for your family’s. They’re located at 189 Canongate on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. Here’s their Website: https://nicolsonkiltmakers.com/products/john-muir-way-kilt

You may find that you have several different clan tartans to choose between. I personally have four I believe, which were used on different ocassions and also because they have changed over the years.
This is another of the Edinburgh Kiltmakers where you can look up the various tartans for your clan-https://www.kinlochanderson.com/tartan

Other items you should be able to buy 'off the shelf'. Some clans, like the MacLeods of Dunvegan (mine) had several different branches, so make sure you know exactly which clan you are to ensure you are wearing the correct tartan. I like to confuse people by turning up in ties of the different tartans I am entitled to wear at formal functions on board cruise ships.

They will take your measurements in the shop (by appointment), then make the kilt for you then mail the kilt later.

Nicholson's are currently saying 20 weeks to make the kilt.

Lochcarron is another. I've just dealt with Kinloch Anderson mentioned above for a new Scottish Rugby cardholder, and the quality is expensive.

Kilts are expensive as they contain a lot of material and are handmade, the wing of the SNP that wants a kilt wearing Scotland will be unlikely to get their desire without considerable public spending. I'd also note these ones in the city centres also tend to be the more expensive side. Ones locals are more likely to use might be in a bit more downmarket areas. They also take a lot of time to make so beware of that in advance.

I know a few people who have the shoes, hose, sporran, and a jacket, and only hire the rest as need be.

For the Tartan, the biggest right to wear one is 'buy right of purchase' no one is really going to say otherwise, but custom is wear ones that you are nominally entitled to. There are thousands of tartans available, and a lot that are for anyone. Both the SFA and the SRU have their own tartans and so do many football, rugby clubs and many many more. For citizens of Commonwealth Realms there is also the option of some of the Royal Stuart tartans as the king is the ultimate clan chief.

When you look at the websites, a lot of the models come across as 'official portrait in a post office on Mull', someone about to start singing Loch Lomond, or a scene from a Highland based murder/romance novel. Sometimes all at the same time.

To have an authentic kilt made for you will likely cost between $1,000 and $2,000 plus, if you are wanting something like that.
It may take a few months to be made.
You will then need the shoes, socks, pin, jacket, flashes, sgian dhu, sporran, , etc etc to correctly complete the outfit.
If the tartan you choose has to be specially woven for you, that is an expensive add on to the overall cost.

You can buy kilts that were previously rentals as well, which would be much cheaper.

If having one made, you would definitely have to reserve an appointment ahead of time.

Here is one place that makes them, just as an example of what you would be looking at.

https://houseofargyll.com/kilt-sales-scotland/

What is your family tartan ; do you have an idea?

Another vote for Lochcarron. We visited the Lochcarron of Scotland Visitor Centre at Waverley Mill, Rodgers Rd, Selkirk TD7 5DX, United Kingdom last October. It’s an hour from Edinburgh. The quality is exceptional. As was explained to us, a kilt isn’t something to buy off the rack. It is made for you based on your measurements. A quality one is expensive due to the time and quantity of material needed.